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Vincent Edwards with a drive to the basket for a shot while guarded by Anas Mahmoud ofLouisville in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge Tuesday, November 28, 2017, at Mackey Arena.(Photo: John Terhune/Journal & Courier)Buy Photo

Story Highlights

Friday's game: Purdue at Maryland, 7 p.m., BTN

Purdue improved to 10-7 in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge. The 10 wins are most by a Big Ten team.

Louisville came in averaging nine blocks per game but had one vs. Purdue.

It did little, however, to calm coach Matt Painter's concerns about the Boilermakers' resiliency. When adversity struck again — more specifically, when jump shots wouldn't fall — would Purdue suffer the same fate as in losses to Tennessee and Western Kentucky?

A test case unfolded in Tuesday's return to Mackey Arena. Purdue couldn't buy a basket in the first half against a Louisville team whose length and athleticism contributed to a physical, defensive slog.

Purdue ultimately gave Painter the answer he sought, persevering for a 66-58 victory over the No. 17 Cardinals in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge.

"Tonight ... our mentality on the defensive end stayed pretty solid and we were still getting up and disrupting them. We matured from those losses, and that's what good teams and experienced teams do."

Prior to Tuesday, Purdue's last experience in Mackey Arena involved a torrential downpour of a school-record 19 3-point pointers against Fairfield.

It quickly became clear nothing would come that east against previously unbeaten Louisville.

Vincent Edwards and Isaac Haas struggled with fouls. Purdue made only 1 of its first 16 from 3-point range. While the Boilermakers kept their turnovers to a reasonable level, each one seemed to result in a layup for Deng Adel or some other Louisville defender.

When Purdue appeared to turn the corner and take a seven-point lead midway through the second half, Louisville responded with eight points in 76 seconds.

Faced with another winnable game going sideways, how did the Boilermakers respond?

"Honestly, just talking to each other and telling each other, 'Grind it out,' " Vincent Edwards said. "That's all the mentality was at that point."

Purdue closed the game on a 15-5 run. Mathias' third 3-pointer of the half put Purdue back on top 54-52 with 2:56 to play. A 10 of 13 performance at the free throw line helped seal it.

The game changed in Purdue's favor earlier in the second half when Haas, after spending significant time on the bench in foul trouble, began drawing fouls from Louisville big men Ray Spalding and Anas Mahmoud. When field goals were scarce, Haas made 5 of 6 free throws to cut into the Cardinals lead.

Purdue made 23 of 32 at the line, compared to 11 of 14 for Louisville. Carsen Edwards couldn't find his perimeter stroke while missing all six 3-point tries. So he started attacking the basket and made 9 of 11 at the line.

"When you're struggling to shoot the basketball, you have to streak some points at the free throw line," Painter said. "I think we did that and it ends up being the difference."

Haas left the game with 2:14 to play and did not return. Painter said after the game the senior center took a hit to the elbow and was unable to make a fist. He was still receiving treatment after the game and a further status update was unavailable.

Vincent Edwards of Purdue scores over Anas Mahmoud of Louisville to put the Boilermakers up 58-54 with just under a minute remaining in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge Tuesday, November 28, 2017, at Mackey Arena. Purdue defeated Louisville 66-57. John Terhune/Journal & Courier

Matt Haarms of Purdue blocks a shot by Quentin Snider of Louisville in the final seconds of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge Tuesday, November 28, 2017, at Mackey Arena. Purdue defeated Louisville 66-57. John Terhune/Journal & Courier

Vincent Edwards with a drive to the basket for a shot while guarded by Anas Mahmoud ofLouisville in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge Tuesday, November 28, 2017, at Mackey Arena. Purdue defeated Louisville 66-57. John Terhune/Journal & Courier

Vincent Edwards of Purdue with an off balance shot against Louisville in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge Tuesday, November 28, 2017, at Mackey Arena. Purdue defeated Louisville 66-57. John Terhune/Journal & Courier

Isaac Haas of Purdue is fouled by Ray Spalding of Louisville in the second half of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge Tuesday, November 28, 2017, at Mackey Arena. Purdue defeated Louisville 66-57. John Terhune/Journal & Courier

Isaac Haas of Purdue with a shot against Ray Spalding of Louisville in the second half of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge Tuesday, November 28, 2017, at Mackey Arena. Purdue defeated Louisville 66-57. John Terhune/Journal & Courier

Vincent Edwards of Purdue with a shot over Jordan Nwora of Louisville in the second half of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge Tuesday, November 28, 2017, at Mackey Arena. Purdue defeated Louisville 66-57. John Terhune/Journal & Courier

Players on the Purdue bench react after a made Boilermaker three-point shot against Louisville in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge Tuesday, November 28, 2017, at Mackey Arena. Purdue defeated Louisville 66-57. John Terhune/Journal & Courier

Isaac Haas defends a shot by Anas Mahmoud of Louisville but is called for a foul in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge Tuesday, November 28, 2017, at Mackey Arena. Purdue defeated Louisville 66-57. John Terhune/Journal & Courier

Purdue head coach has words for the officials afterf Iasaac Haas is whistled for a foul against Anas Mahmoud of Louisville in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge Tuesday, November 28, 2017, at Mackey Arena. Purdue defeated Louisville 66-57. John Terhune/Journal & Courier

Ryan Cline of Purdue reaches in to see the ball as Jordan Nwora of Louisville tries to make a pass in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge Tuesday, November 28, 2017, at Mackey Arena. Purdue defeated Louisville 66-57. John Terhune/Journal & Courier

Carsen Edwards of Purdue tries to steal the ball from V.J. King of Louisville in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge Tuesday, November 28, 2017, at Mackey Arena. Edwards was whistled for a foul on the play. Purdue defeated Louisville 66-57. John Terhune/Journal & Courier

P.J. Thompson of Purdue reacts after forcing Quentin Snider of Louisville to turn the ball over with 51.5 seconds remaining in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge Tuesday, November 28, 2017, at Mackey Arena. Purdue lead 58-54 at the time. The Boilermakers would go on to defeat Louisville 66-57. John Terhune/Journal & Courier

Purdue football,fresh off a 31-24 victory over Indiana in the battle for the Old Oaken Bucket, are recognized during a timeout in the Boilermakers game against Louisville in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge Tuesday, November 28, 2017, at Mackey Arena. Purdue defeated Louisville 66-57. John Terhune/Journal & Courier

Dakota Mathias has the ball knocked out of his hands by Ray Spalding of Louisville in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge Tuesday, November 28, 2017, at Mackey Arena. Purdue defeated Louisville 66-57. John Terhune/Journal & Courier

Blood oozes from a cut above Dakota Mathias’ right eye in the first half against Louisville in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge Tuesday, November 28, 2017, at Mackey Arena. The cut was stitched up at halftime. Purdue defeated Louisville 66-57. John Terhune/Journal & Courier

Isaac Haas with a shot over Deng Adel of Louisville in the second half of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge Tuesday, November 28, 2017, at Mackey Arena. Purdue defeated Louisville 66-57. John Terhune/Journal & Courier

Purdue's Ryan Cline drained a 3 with about 12 minutes left in the first half. That was a welcome site for the junior, who came in shooting 3-for-20 behind the arc.

It also resulted from some of the Boilermakers' best movement of the first half. Nojel Eastern ran down an offensive rebound and kicked cross-court to Dakota Mathias, who pitched to an open Cline at the top of the key.

Yet for much of the half, the Boilermaker offense stagnated. Only 1 of 13 3-point tries fell through the net.

Purdue still took a 23-22 lead into halftime on the strength of its defense. Louisville shot 31.7 percent overall. It's most effective offense came from converting 11 takeaways into 16 points.

The Boilermakers needed to find a comfort zone inside the frustration and find their way out again. Shooting 33.3 percent from the field and winning qualifies.

"When you play a team at home, get the crowd behind you, and you've been in this situation before with a veteran group, you know what you need to do," Thompson said. "We're one of the best shooting teams in the country and you go 5-for-23 … you just stick with it.

CLOSE

The Boilermakers coach on his team's Big Ten/ACC Challenge victory.

"You saw no one hold their heads down when they weren't making shots. Everyone was moving on to the next play. 'Let's get a stop. Let's keep taking good shots in rhythm and they'll eventually fall.' "

With Big Ten Conference play beginning this weekend, the Boilermakers sought to prove they could grind out a victory without overwhelming an opponent with a 3-point barrage.

Purdue passed the test Tuesday. There will certainly be others, perhaps as soon as Friday's conference-opening trip to Maryland.

"If stubbing your toe helps you become a better team down the road in March, so be it," Painter said.